Gardena, CA, January 27, 2014: On Tuesday evening, the Serra Athletic department tweeted the news that Malachi Mageo had committed to the University of Hawaii for football. It received more retweets than most – not because of the commitment itself, but because of the student involved. In his years at Serra High School, Malachi Mageo has beaten the odds on the field, in the classroom, and in the hospital room.
Two summers ago, Mageo was an innocent bystander in a tragic confrontation that left him stabbed and missing a kidney. He was told he would never have his old life back, especially the part that involved his passion: playing fierce and competitive football. It took him months to fully recover, and during that time he missed a lot of school. When told he would not graduate on time, he showed disappointment but determination as well. He signed up to be the school mascot, and to join the school’s LIFE Team, a faith-based student group that leads the school in mass, adoration and retreats. During honor roll assemblies, his name always got the biggest ovation. He was loved by all, even winning Homecoming court his senior year.
At the end of what would have been his last year, he had helped secure his team a State CIF Title, making a huge interception in a playoff game leading up to the state tournament. However, he had not been offered any scholarships for football at the end of four years, and some thought the opportunity lost because he was not finished with his high school degree. The head football coach Scott Altenberg and Athletic Director Ted Dunlap lobbied for Malachi to get a hardship waiver, which allowed him to come back to Serra for another semester. Mageo took the opportunity and became the true leader of the Serra football team, leading its defense to several shutouts and making some huge plays to lead them to a CIF divisional title game.
On Tuesday, the culmination of five years of hard work, pain and faith finally paid off. Malachi is going to Hawaii, to attend a four-year university and play the game that saved his life.
Two summers ago, Mageo was an innocent bystander in a tragic confrontation that left him stabbed and missing a kidney. He was told he would never have his old life back, especially the part that involved his passion: playing fierce and competitive football. It took him months to fully recover, and during that time he missed a lot of school. When told he would not graduate on time, he showed disappointment but determination as well. He signed up to be the school mascot, and to join the school’s LIFE Team, a faith-based student group that leads the school in mass, adoration and retreats. During honor roll assemblies, his name always got the biggest ovation. He was loved by all, even winning Homecoming court his senior year.
At the end of what would have been his last year, he had helped secure his team a State CIF Title, making a huge interception in a playoff game leading up to the state tournament. However, he had not been offered any scholarships for football at the end of four years, and some thought the opportunity lost because he was not finished with his high school degree. The head football coach Scott Altenberg and Athletic Director Ted Dunlap lobbied for Malachi to get a hardship waiver, which allowed him to come back to Serra for another semester. Mageo took the opportunity and became the true leader of the Serra football team, leading its defense to several shutouts and making some huge plays to lead them to a CIF divisional title game.
On Tuesday, the culmination of five years of hard work, pain and faith finally paid off. Malachi is going to Hawaii, to attend a four-year university and play the game that saved his life.